A Reuters report by Amy Jo Crowley states that the London-listed British group Informa, active in the organisation of events and B2B services, has launched an exploratory process to sell a stake in its portfolio of luxury events based in Monaco. The portfolio includes flagship events such as the Monaco Yacht Show and Top Marques Monaco, along with other brands within the group’s Luxury & Lifestyle division.

Sources cited by Reuters indicate that the portfolio generates around 200 million dollars in annual revenue, with a potential valuation of the stake for sale also estimated at around 200 million dollars. Informa, which currently has a market capitalisation close to 14 billion dollars, has reportedly appointed an investment bank to test the interest of potential investors.

According to the anonymous sources consulted by Reuters, potential investors in this package of events could include sovereign wealth funds, particularly from the Gulf region. In recent years these institutional investors have increased their exposure to media, entertainment and events, seeking to diversify economies still heavily linked to oil while attracting international tourism and investment.

Reuters also notes that the talks are still at a preliminary stage, and there is no certainty that a transaction will actually take place. Contacted by the agency, Informa declined to comment, while the potential impact of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East on the sale process remains an open question.

The Monaco-based assets form part of Informa’s broader Luxury & Lifestyle portfolio, which also includes events such as Art Monte Carlo, the Palm Beach International Boat Show, the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, Art Miami, and the publishing group Boat International.

This portfolio of high-end events, with Monaco serving as both a symbolic and operational hub, represents one of the strategic pillars of the group’s global positioning in the luxury segment.

Filippo Ceragioli